Questions about Piano Concerto 2 by Rachmaninoff

[rachtozart]

Dear pianoworld,

This is my first time here. I just have a few questions regarding playing the Rach PC #2. Currently, I can play the piano part on it well, having memorized and in tempo. However, I am not part of any orchestra (or at least have not contacted any) in which the concerto can actually serve a more realistic purpose.

So my questions are:
1. Are there any recordings of the concerto WITHOUT the piano part (it plays through the concerto as if with the piano, except the piano sound is cut out). I want to do this for a few reasons:
- That I can perhaps learn how to time myself and know when it is more appropriate to break, pause, or not pause at all
- Makes sure I can play the piano well throughout without hesitating or resting
- I also somewhat enjoy playing to myself privately in my piano room, and do not really intend to seek out any orchestras or recognition. I just like to know that I can create music and be a part of something - playing the piano keeps me happy and occupies my free time.)

2. Is there a transcription of this piece for just 1 violin and 1 piano? I am thinking of playing with a close friend of mine.

3. Should I just learn how to count properly (in some of the concerto scores they have time indications for breaks, etc. for soloist instruments)?

Additional info:
This is my first time taking upon a piano concerto score.
From experience, I consider myself an advanced pianist in terms of sight-reading and technique, but I fall quite short in terms of playing by ear and playing notes in time well (reading the time markings in between notes; i.e. I can play the notes all well but sometimes fall short in sight-reading it with the right breaks/pauses).
Repertoire (NOT all memorized, but I know when I can play something well enough with score or without):
- Chopin Ballade No. 1, can play the presto infallibly and at tempo Vivace (presto a little too fast)
- Chopin Polonaise "Heroic," "Military," #5, 4 (no technical challenges)
- Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 2, 6, 11 (no technical challenges, but I do need to polish some of the arpeggios in #2)
- Liszt La Campanella (no technical challenges)
- Beethoven Sonatas Pathetique, Appassionata, among others (no technical challenges)
- Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 (i guess - no technical challenges)
- Chopin sonata No. 2 (no technical challenges)
- Some Chopin Etudes (3, 10, 1...) (#1 is quite tough to make consistent and in tempo)
- Some Chopin nocturnes (no Tech.)
- All the Chopin waltzes (no Tech.)
- Other sonatas, fugues, etudes, impromptus by Mozart, Bach, Liszt, Schubert


Thank you all very much. I appreciate any answers or comments.

[jimf]

Hi there! I can answer your first question: There is a company named Music Minus One, which provides cds and sheet music. Usually there's a pair of CDs in every product, one has the concerto played by both the orchestra and the piano and the same without the piano, while the other one has the same tracks with lower tempo. Check it out, I am sure it is exactly what you need: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Minus-One-Piano-Rachmaninov/dp/159615005X
Good luck, I hope I've helped!
Jim

[rachtozart]

Thanks, that looks like what I want. Maybe I should learn how to create those MIDI files or whatever...

I hope there is a cheaper or even free edition! But thanks.

[redrobin62]

Creating a midi version can be done - but it's a pain. You can obtain scores for free from Kunst der Fuge, but you'd need a good sequencing program (I use Cubase) and good orchestral software (I use Miroslav), then you have to assign all those tracks to their respective instruments, balance the levels, attach the right reverb, etc. I created my own version of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 for two pianos from midi files and using my Vintage D Kontakt plugin. Not the simplest thing in the world.